Comparison of antibacterial and antiimmune effects of certain rifamycins

Hygrocins a and B, naphthoquinone macrolides from Streptomyces hygroscopicus

Two new naphthoquinone macrolides, hygrocins A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces hygroscopicus. Hygrocin A is not stable due to the presence of an active methylene group (C-22), which undergoes intramolecular aldol condensation with the quinone ring to yield a gamma-lactam derivative, 6. Its structural elucidation was achieved by chemical conversion to 3, an unusual diazomethane derivative, and confirmed by its alkaline hydrolysis product 4, hydrogenation derivative 5, and "degradation" product 6. The structure of hygrocin B was determined by combined chemical and spectroscopic methods.

Stimulation of NADH-dependent microsomal DNA strand cleavage by rifamycin SV

Rifamycin SV is an antibiotic anti-bacterial agent used in the treatment of tuberculosis. This drug can autoxidize, especially in the presence of metals, and generate reactive oxygen species. A previous study indicated that rifamycin SV can increase NADH-dependent microsomal production of reactive oxygen species. The current study evaluated the ability of rifamycin SV to interact with iron and increase microsomal production of hydroxyl radical, as detected by conversion of supercoiled plasmid DNA into the relaxed open circular state. The plasmid used was pBluescript II KS(-), and the forms of DNA were separated by agarose-gel electrophoresis. Incubation of rat liver microsomes with plasmid plus NADH plus ferric-ATP caused DNA strand cleavage. The addition of rifamycin SV produced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in DNA-strand cleavage. No stimulation by rifamycin SV occurred in the absence of microsomes, NADH or ferric-ATP. Stimulation occurred with other ferric complexes besides ferric-ATP, e.g. ferric-histidine, ferric-citrate, ferric-EDTA, and ferric-(NH4)2SO4. Rifamycin SV did not significantly increase the high rates of DNA strand cleavage found with NADPH as the microsomal reductant. The stimulation of NADH-dependent microsomal DNA strand cleavage was completely blocked by catalase, superoxide dismutase, GSH and a variety of hydroxyl-radical-scavenging agents, but not by anti-oxidants that prevent microsomal lipid peroxidation. Redox cycling agents, such as menadione and paraquat, in contrast with rifamycin SV, stimulated the NADPH-dependent reaction; menadione and rifamycin SV were superior to paraquat in stimulating the NADH-dependent reaction. These results indicate that rifamycin SV can, in the presence of an iron catalyst, increase microsomal production of reactive oxygen species which can cause DNA-strand cleavage. In contrast with other redox cycling agents, the stimulation by rifamycin SV is more pronounced with NADH than with NADPH as the microsomal reductant. Interactions between rifamycin SV, iron and NADH generating hydroxyl-radical-like species may play a role in some of the hepatotoxic effects associated with the use of this antibacterial antibiotic.

The role of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in rifamycin-induced DNA damage

The effect of rifamycin SV on the formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-0HdG) has been investigated in vitro and in vivo. Oxidative modification of 2'-deoxyguanosine has been measured as an indication of DNA damage using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Rifamycin SV in the presence of copper(II) ions induces the formation of 8-0HdG in calf thymus DNA. The effect is enhanced by increasing the antibiotic concentration and inhibited by catalase and hydroxyl radical (.0H) scavengers, such as thiourea and ethanol, in a rifamycin SV concentration-dependent manner. The reduced glutathione (GSH) inhibits DNA damage, and this effect is proportional to the final concentration of the tripeptide in the incubation medium. A significant increase in the formation of 8-0HdG and of malondialdehyde (MDA) in rat liver DNA was observed only in GSH-depleted animals after 5 days of rifamycin SV treatment. These results support the involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2(0)2) and .0H in the mechanism of the oxidative modification of DNA achieved by rifamycin SV. The role of other reactive species and the antioxidant properties of GSH against oxidative damage is also discussed.

The role of glutathione in protection against DNA damage induced by rifamycin SV and copper(II) ions

Incubation of calf thymus DNA in the presence of rifamycin SV induces a decrease in the absorbance of DNA at 260 nm. The effect, was found to be proportional to the antibiotic concentration and enhanced by copper(II) ions. In the presence of rifamycin SV and copper(II), a significant increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive (TBA-reactive) material is also observed. This effect is inhibited to different degrees by the following antioxidants: catalase 77%; thiourea 72%; glutathione (GSH) 62%; ethanol 52%; and DMSO 34%, suggesting that both hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radicals (OH.) are involved in DNA damage. Rifamycin SV-copper(II) mixtures were also found to induce the production of peroxidation material from deoxyribose and, in this case, glutathione and ethanol were the most effective antioxidant substrates with inhibition rates of 91% and 88% respectively. Electrophoretic studies show that calf thymus DNA becomes damaged after 20 min. incubation in the presence of both agents together and that the damaged fragments run with migration rates similar to those obtained by the metal chelating agent 1,10-phenanthroline. Normal DNA electrophoretic pattern was found to be preserved by catalase, and GSH at physiological concentrations and by thiourea. No protection is observed in the presence of ethanol or DMSO. The results obtained indicate the involvement of different reactive species in the degradation process of DNA due to rifamycin SV-copper(II) complex and emphasize the role of reduced glutathione as an oxygen free radical scavenger.

Effect of metal ion catalyzed oxidation of rifamycin SV on cell viability and metabolic performance of isolated rat hepatocytes

The effect of rifamycin SV on metabolic performance and cell viability was studied using isolated hepatocytes from fed, starved and glutathione (GSH) depleted rats. The relationships between GSH depletion, nutritional status of the cells, glucose metabolism, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) production in the presence of rifamycin SV and transition metal ions was investigated. Glucose metabolism was impaired in isolated hepatocytes from both fed and starved animals, the effect is dependent on the rifamycin SV concentration and is enhanced by copper (II). Oxygen consumption by isolated hepatocytes from starved rats was also increased by copper (II) and a partial inhibition due to catalase was observed. Cellular GSH levels which decrease with increasing the rifamycin SV concentration were almost depleted in the presence of copper (II). A correlation between GSH depletion and LDH leakage was observed in fed and starved cells. Catalase induced a slight inhibition of the impairment of gluconeogenesis, GSH depletion and LDH leakage in starved hepatocytes incubated with rifamycin SV, iron (II) and copper (II) salts. Lipid peroxidation measured as MDA production by isolated hepatocytes was also augmented by rifamycin SV and copper (II), especially in hepatic cells isolated from starved and GSH depleted rats. Higher cytotoxicity was observed in isolated hepatocytes from fasted animals when compared with fed or GSH depleted animals. It seems likely that in addition to GSH level, there are other factors which may have an influence on the susceptibility of hepatic cells towards xenobiotic induced cytotoxicity.

Effects of rifampin treatment on contact sensitivity reactions to oxazolone in Balb/C mice

Treatment of mice with rifampin (Ri, 100-200 mg/kg) affected the course of contact sensitivity (CS) reactions to oxazolone. The effects which were seen as either partial inhibition or enhancement of the response, under one set of conditions, could be abrogated or even reversed if conditions of either induction, elicitation and time of measuring reactions were altered. In addition, amount of Ri used for treatment and time of treatment in relation to the induction of CS reactions also influenced the effects observed.

Oxygen radical damage to DNA by rifamycin SV and copper ions

The hydroquinone moiety of the antibiotic rifamycin SV reacts with molecular oxygen to form reduced oxygen intermediates such as superoxide (O2-.) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The antibiotic semiquinone is also formed. Rifamycin SV in the presence of iron and copper salts can lead to the formation of the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (OH) which degrades the sugar deoxyribose. This damage is substantially inhibited by the enzyme catalase and scavengers of the hydroxyl radical such as formate, mannitol and thiourea. When linear duplex DNA is substituted for deoxyribose only rifamycin SV and copper ions substantially degrade DNA with release from the DNA molecule of thiobarbituric acid-reactive products. Damage to DNA by rifamycin and copper ions is significantly inhibited by catalase but poorly inhibited by scavengers of the hydroxyl radical consistent with a site-specific radical reaction of the DNA molecule. Several biological properties of rifamycin SV are known to resemble those of the metal chelating agent 1,10-phenanthroline. Here, we show that similarities extend to an unusual chemical property whereby thiobarbituric acid-reactive material is released from DNA in the presence of a copper salt.

Effect of rifampin and its cyclopentyl analogue, MDL 473, on the expression of delayed type hypersensitivity to oxazolone

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of rifampin and its cyclopentyl analogue, MDL 473, on delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) using a murine model. Neither compound has any significant effect on DTH (as measured by ear swelling) to oxazolone when administered i.p. to BALB/c mice at doses of 1, 10, 50 or 100 mg/kg beginning 3 days before oxazolone sensitization and continuing until hapten challenge 5 days later. In contrast, sex and age matched controls receiving 200 mg hydrocortisone/kg i.p. beginning on the day of oxazolone sensitization and continuing to hapten challenge demonstrate a significant (P less than 0.001) abrogation of DTH.

Variations in host defence mechanisms and blastogenesis in chickens and mice after rifamycin treatments

The immunobiological effect of rifamycins on different experimental models has been comparatively studied in chickens and mice using cyclophosphamide as a reference immunosuppressive agent. "In vivo" treatments with rifampicin and rifamycin SV diminished interferon levels in chickens and mice up to two hours after virus challenge. Mitogen induced blastogenesis was significantly depressed by either "in vivo" (5-50 mg/kg) or "in vitro" (5-20 micrograms/ml) drug treatments, although the activation of B lymphocytes was more easily inhibited than that of T lymphocytes. Primary anti-SRBC immune responses suffered a similar immune suppressive action by rifamycin treatments "in vivo". In every case, cyclophosphamide (10-20 micrograms/ml "in vitro" and 25 mg/kg "in vivo") proved to be the most active immunosuppressant. On the other hand, a remarkable parallelism in the effect of rifamycins in chickens and mice was observed in all the experimental systems used.